The US has banned the use of a synthetic red food dye that gives some sweets, cakes and certain oral medications a cherry-red colour, after evidence that it causes cancer in laboratory rats.
The ban by the Food and Drug Administration on the Red No 3 dye in food items comes more than three decades after it was barred in cosmetics, reports Reuters.
“Why you would say something can’t be in cosmetics, but you can eat it makes no sense to me. I am very pleased they finally have done what I think they should have done years ago,” said petitioner Linda Birnbaum, former director at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Programme.
Consumer advocacy groups have been pushing for its ban for several years, including a petition in 2022 to review studies showing high exposure to the additive may cause cancer in male rats.
“The FDA cannot authorise a food additive or colour additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals,” said Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods.
The regulator, however, said studies in other animals and in humans did not show these effects and that available evidence does not support claims that the dye’s use in food and oral drugs puts people at risk.
Manufacturers who use Red No 3 (also known as Erythrosine or E 127), in food have until 15 January 2027 to reformulate their products, and ingested-drug makers have until 18 January 2028 to comply with the ban.
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